Immunity

Take your vitamins. You’ve probably been hearing this daily refrain from your parents since you were a little kid. But have you ever asked why we take vitamins and what they do for our health? After all, don’t we get vitamins from the food we eat?

It's nearly impossible to not have at least one friend or family member these days who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder or disease. We hear this term thrown around a lot, and it doesn’t seem to have a very clear set of causes or symptoms, or a definitive process for diagnosis. Yet this particular label is given to a plethora of symptoms and diseases. So exactly what is an autoimmune disease, what are the symptoms, how does it spread and what can we do to lower our risk? These questions are still being asked by scientists, doctors and specialists around the world fortunately, as numbers of sick individuals continue to rise, research is kept at the foreground. Here are some facts, statistics and the most educated deductions we currently have in regard to one of the most prevalent attacks on our health. To understand that the immune system is not functioning correctly, we must first have an idea of how it works when everything is acting as it should. Most of our immune system is housed in our gut, around 70% actually and 80% of our plasma cells in charge of IgA antibody production. What does this mean? Well, our immune system is found in our spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, thymus and lymphatic system, all of which create and supply the body with lymphocytes, or white blood cells, either B or T, that are sent throughout the body to fight bacteria, viruses, parasites or cancer. When your body has an invader, or antigen, the T-cells go out and attack the foreign or abnormal cells while the B-cells produce antibodies targeted at the disease or illness in the body. These antibodies attach themselves to the corrupted or diseased cells as markers for the T-cells to find them and destroy them. When the body has an autoimmune disease, the immune system starts producing proteins called autoantibodies which mistake healthy body cells as invaders or disease. These autoantibodies then attach to healthy cells directing the T-cells to attack and destroy them either throughout the body or targeting one organ, such as the pancreas with type I diabetes or the skin with psoriasis. When the autoimmune disease is systemic, like lupus erythematosus (SLE), the symptoms can be more severe and even fatal. Currently there are 80 defined autoimmune diseases with many more sets of symptoms associated with autoantibodies to be identified. There have been 23.5 million Americans recorded with confirmed diagnosis but 50 million considered to be affected or show positive symptoms. The majority of patients with autoimmune symptoms and diagnosis are women presumably due to the relationship between hormones and the immune system. How do you lower your risk or avoid an autoimmune disease? With a large risk factor being genetics, you may not have as much control as you like. Not only are autoimmune conditions more common in women, they also tend to run in ethnic groups and families. Lupus and scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) tend to be found more amongst African-Americans and Hispanics while Caucasians are at a higher risk for type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis. These diseases are considered to be rare when analyzing individuals, but as a collective study, 5-9% of the population suffers. Due to most autoimmune diseases having similar symptoms and the rarity of individual diseases caused by autoantibodies, it can take years to accurately diagnose an autoimmune disorder. Some of the most common diseases under the autoimmune umbrella are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes mellitus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and psoriasis. One symptom they all have in common is inflammation! Inflammation is the body’s response to injury and disease, so where it perceives illness or a threat it will also increase heat and swelling. Many food sensitivities and allergies cause inflammatory responses as well as it being a common reaction to environmental sensitivities to things such as certain solvents, cleaning products, heavy metals, toxins or chemicals. The clear link between inflammation and autoimmune disease has led scientists to a consensus that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is what causes the immune dysfunction. That being the case, we may not be able to change our genetics, but we do have some control over our environment. Other common symptoms are chronic fatigue, tiredness or brain-fog, pain in the joints or muscles, weakness or tremors, unexplainable weight fluctuations, insomnia, temperature intolerance, reoccurring rashes, hives or white patches on your skin or in your mouth, dry eyes, mouth and skin, hair loss, tingling or numb sensations in your extremities, digestive disorders and irregular bowel movements and for women, miscarriages or blood clots. If you suffer from many or all of these symptoms, you most likely suffer from an autoimmune disease. While your doctor can prescribe medicines to treat your symptoms, it is unlikely that they will search for the root problem. A functional medicine physician would be the better choice as you can get relief from the symptoms while searching for the reason behind your immune dysfunction which can often be reversed if it was caused from an external factor or treated more effectively if it is genetic. All doctors agree changes in your diet will affect the immune system. Most functional medicine doctors all say that autoimmune disease nearly guarantees leaky gut and one affects the other, so treating your gut can be the fastest way to heal or find relief in cases of autoimmune disease. Get serious about your food! Consider an elimination diet or many say Paleo is the most successful when dealing with gut permeability. Bring in supplements that promote healing of the intestinal lining like bone broth. Provide your body with a powerful anti-inflammatory and gut rehabilitation by adding Terra Origin Bone Broth Collagen with Turmeric. Use natural healing substances like Glutamine, Glucosamine and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) to rebuild your digestive tract. Any one of Terra Origin Healthy Gut powders will give you the trifecta and more to restore your insides. Another huge proponent of a healthy gut and immune system is reduced stress! When we are stressed, we are tired, our sleep is affected, our hormones are out of balance, we eat improperly and the nervous system is constantly activated. Consider calming herbs found in Healthy Inner Balance and a gentle sleep aid like Healthy Sleep. Once you get your food and supplements in order. Start going through your house and eliminating as many chemicals, toxic household products and environmental stressors as possible. Do everything you can to bring your body back into a state of health, and you will be surprised at the results!

If you are unfamiliar with turmeric, look for the extremely bright yellow powder in the spice section of your local supermarket. This seasoning is the base of many curries and Indian dishes and has recently taken the spot light for its numerous healing properties. It is actually a deep orange colored root in the ginger family and is grown in Asia and Central America. If you can buy the fresh root, it is wonderful to cook with and to prepare simple home remedies, but if fresh is not available, you can find high-quality powdered versions and tablet options if you are taking it medicinally. If you are interested in more than functional nutrition, be sure to look for supplements that are high in curcumin, the active healing ingredient in turmeric. The spice or root in its whole form has about 3% curcumin, while extracts and tablets are concentrated at 90% or higher. Turmeric has grown in popularity for many reasons, but as with all superfoods, you need to separate the fact from the fiction. Though it is touted for many things, turmeric has specific benefits both externally and internally. The most valuable is its powerful and proven anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the root of hundreds of diseases and sources of pain. Turmeric has been studied in reference to obvious inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, neurological traumas and age related pain, but they have also begun to link the benefits of curcumin in cases of physical injuries, inflamed intestines and inflammation in the brain affecting Alzheimer’s. If you suffer from extreme inflammatory response in muscles, tendons or organs, you may wish to take a medical dose of curcumin if approved by your doctor. If you would like to take preventative action or treat against minor inflammation, using a culinary turmeric option should do the trick! Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties don’t stop on the inside. It’s great for minor skin inflammations like psoriasis and eczema along with redness and swelling from acne and outbreaks. Combined with honey, you have the ultimate skin care regime. Simply combine organic honey with a high-quality turmeric powder into a thick paste and spot test your wrist for any reactions or discolorations. If you don’t experience any negative effects, then you can use this mask 3 to 5 times a week until your skin clears up. Be careful though as turmeric’s bright yellow color stains, so be sure not to get it on your counters or towels. Turmeric has been shown to have positive effects against cancer, heart disease and it is a strong immune booster due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It can also cross the blood brain barrier bringing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to the brain as well. This can help to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, enhance cognitive function and improve mood by supporting the hormone brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This is one plant medicine that should be in everyone’s cabinet! This delicious gold spice reduces inflammation in the gut and can be an effective relief against inflammatory bowel disease, colitis and Crohn’s. Turmeric is also a natural probiotic with test results showing a 7% increase in gut microbiota while taking turmeric and a 69% increase for those who took a concentrated form of curcumin. It’s also been shown to aid with intestinal impermeability, meaning you have another tool against leaky gut. Curcumin has another benefit, but this one needs to be taken with a side of caution. Turmeric has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation and the risk of blood clots.  For those who struggle with vascular thrombosis, this can provide relief, but for others who have a risk of bleeding, wounds or are pregnant or breast feeding, concentrated doses of curcumin could be very dangerous. This doesn’t mean you must give up curries, simply avoid medicinal grade curcumin supplements. With all of these incredible healing properties, you may want to run out and stock up on this tasty spice, but once you’ve got it, how will you use it? If you’re brave, you could mix ½ - 1 teaspoon of turmeric with ¾ - 1 tablespoon of organic honey and simply eat it, but for those who aren’t ready to add this to their vitamin regime, there are easier and tastier ways to get your curcumin. For shakes, smoothie bowls and tasty treats, add in one scoop of Terra Origin Bone Broth Collagen with Turmeric. This will provide a massive boost to your joints, cartilage and gut health! To experience the benefits of curcumin in your system, it’s best to consume at least one teaspoon a day. If you want to improve turmeric’s bioavailability, always add in a little black pepper and oil. The compound piperine in pepper helps to increase absorption, and turmeric is fat soluble, so it is best taken with a healthy fat like coconut milk or olive oil. Golden milk is a delicious and easy way to get all the benefits in one easy and soothing beverage. 2 cups of coconut or vanilla almond milk 1 ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp cinnamon powder 4-6 fresh ground peppercorns ¼ inch of fresh grated ginger root or ½ tsp ginger powder 1 tsp organic honey, maple syrup or agave (more to taste) For a savory option, sub full-fat bone broth for the non-dairy milk and add one scoop of Terra Origin Bone Broth Collagen with Turmeric. To Prepare: Blend all ingredients in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth. Then heat for 5 – 8 minutes in a small saucepan until it is simmering but not boiling. Pour into a mug and enjoy! If you find this is the perfect warm beverage to compliment your day but you don’t want to mix everything up every day, consider preparing your spices ahead of time. Est. 30 servings 1 cup of turmeric 1/3 cup of cinnamon 2 tablespoons of fresh ground pepper ¼ cup ground ginger ½ cup of organic honey or maple syrup (add more or less depending on the consistency) Blend the spices and then fold into the honey until you make a thick paste. Store in an airtight jar.